Originally built as an elementary school in the 1960s, the former ACES building has undergone interior remodeling but retains seven classrooms, most of which are connected in a beehive structure and feature adjoining bathrooms and in-classroom sinks.

The facility could provide ideal housing for a daycare, APS Superintendent David Rabbideau suggested at a Friday meeting of the district’s property committee.

The district has no official preference for the building’s use, he clarified.

Nobody has yet offered a bid on the building, but several groups have shown interest in the facility, including some local and some from downstate, said Mary Lyon, associate APS superintendent for business and operations.

News Photo by Julie Riddle Seen on Friday, a map posted on a bulletin board at the building that formerly housed ACES Academy shows the layout of the building’s connected classrooms and other spaces.

If no bids come in, or if those that do don’t offer a price the board is willing to consider, APS can continue to look for a buyer, Lyon said.

Because the community owns the property, APS wants to be sure the district gets a fair price for it, said trustee Ken Gembel.

APS chose to not request an appraisal before putting out a request for bids because an estimate would have locked APS into a minimum price, Rabbideau said.

Schools follow state rather than local zoning rules, and the property is currently zoned for a single-family residence. A buyer hoping to use the property in another way would have to work with the city to get clearance for such use.

Alpena officials would review any proposal for use of the former ACES property or any other vacant property and work with potential developers as much as possible, said Montiel Birmingham, Alpena director of planning, development, and zoning.

News Photo by Julie Riddle Maria Prevo, custodian for ACES Academy, on Friday provides a tour of the academy’s former facility, now for sale with bids due on Wednesday.

Citing long waiting lists at local child care centers, Rabbideau suggested the building’s classrooms could help fill that need. Construction costs could keep potential buyers from considering using the building to help ease the region’s housing shortage, committee members agreed.

At the vacant school building on Friday, custodian Maria Prevo walked through brightly lit rooms with high ceilings, skylights, and interesting angles.

She hopes the building sells to someone who wants to continue to use it to help kids rather than tearing it down, she said.

The building, which includes a small gym and kitchenette, sits on 20 acres that would come with the sale.

Interested bidders can access information about the bidding process on the district’s website, alpenaschools.com, under District News in the News and Resources tab.

ACES relocated to the Alpena High School building before the current school year.

Julie Riddle can be reached at 989-358-5693 or jriddle@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jriddleX.